Moldboard adjustment for v-type ditching machines



C. H. BROWN Aug. 18, 1953 MOLDBOARD ADJUSTMENT FOR V TYPE DITCHINGMACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l RI!!! I ms AGENTI CHARLE-$.H.BROWN Aug. 18, 1953 c. H. BROWN 2,643,919

MOLDBOARD ADJUSTMENT FOR V TYPE DITCHING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1947 4Sheets-Sheet 2 IAIVENTOR. CHARLES H.BROWN HIS AGENT C. H. BROWN Aug. 18,1953 MOLDBOARD ADJUSTMENT FOR v TYPE DITCHING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9,1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. CHARLES H. BROWN Aug. 18, 1953 c. H.BROWN 2,648,919

MOLDBOARD ADJUSTMENT FOR V TYPE DITCHING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1947 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

CH AF? LES H. BROWN BY WW HIS .HGEN T.

Patented Aug. 18, 1953 UNITED STATES MOLDBOARD ADJUSTMENT FOR V-TYPEDITCHING MACHINES Charles H. Brown, Breckenridge, Tex.

Application September 9, 1947, Serial No. 772,935

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in earth handling implements, andmore particularly to an implement, the mechanism of which may berearranged so as to adapt a single implement to the performance ofvarious types of earth handling work.

Various earth handling implements have been proposed heretofore, butthey have been limited in their scope of operation and therefore adifferent type of implement was required for the different types ofearth handling work.

In the present invention the basic parts of the mechanism are soconstructed as to lend themselves to rearrangement, so that oneimplement may be adapted to perform a variety of earth handlingoperations, as for example digging ditches, filling ditches, grading andleveling, the building of terraces, levees and the like.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a machine, themechanism of which may be rearranged so as to perform a variety of dirthandling operations with a single machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dirt handling implementthat may be connected to a tractor in such manner that the implement maybe raised and lowered with a conventional tractor power lift so that theentire unit is supported by the tractor, when the unit is in raisedposition.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dirt handling implementthat may be raised by. the power lift of a tractor in pro-. gressivestages so that the entire weight of the implement will not be put on thetractor while said implement is still engaged in the earth.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an implement which,with the mechanism arranged in one way, can be used to form a V-typeditch with a flat bottom.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an implement whichhas a wide range of adjustments for making ditches, back filling,grading and other earth handling operations.

The present implement is so arranged. and constructed that, byreassembly and adjustment of the mechanism, various types of earthhandling machines are provided, thus making it possible to do, with onemachine, the work that has heretofore required the use of severaldifferent machines.

This implement is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the implement showing the parts thereofarranged so as to p vide a ditching machine, and with the power lift barof the tractor shown in dot-dash outline;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the front end portionof the implement, with the parts arranged as a ditcher;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows:

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a rear end view of the moldboard blades of the implement, withcertain portions broken away and other parts removed to show the detailsof construction;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the implement with the parts arrangedto form a back filler, and showing the power lift tractor draw bar indot-dash outline; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the implement showing the arrangementof the parts to form a grader.

In the following description the same numerals are used to indicate likeparts in the several views of the drawings, but in Figs. 1 to 9, whichshow the invention applied to a ditcher, the numerals only are used, inFig. 10, that shows the invention applied to a back filler, the numeralsdesignating corresponding parts will be primed and in Fig. 11, theinvention is shown applied as a grader, the corresponding parts on thedrawings will be indicated by the numerals double primed It is believedthat this will distinguish the different use of the several parts, sothat they do not lose their identity, but show their co-relation withthe machine adjusted for different uses.

With more detailed reference to the drawing Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive,these illustrate the implement as formed to operate as a ditcher whichis attached to the power lift draw bar of a tractor, which draw bar isdesignated as D and usually is a conventional part of a farm typetractor T. The power lift draw bar D has central clamps 2 which arebolted into binding engagement with the tractor draw bar D in side-by:

side relation, approximately in the center thereof. The clamps 2 extendrearwardly from the draw bar to form lugs 4, to which plow beams B,positioned in side-by-side relation, are attached by bolts 8. The bolts8 are adapted to pass through the lugs and through the plow beams tosecure the beams in fixed relation to the lugs.

While the 'plow beams 6, to meet the needs of the present adaptation,are shown to be curved so that the beams project forward when the footportions project downward, it is to be understood that variations intractor construction will require that the shape of the plow vbeam beadapted to conform to the requirements of the particular tractor, and abeam that extends vertically instead of forwardlymightbe required.

A plow, generally designated at 9, has a moldboard It and a plow point Ii A U-shaped-member I2 is provided and secured to the moldboard ID as bywelding, as will best be seen in Fig. '5. The U-s'haped member l2extends a substantial length of the moldboard H3 and hasbolts Mand l6which pass therethrough to secure the plow beam 6 in rigid relation withthe U-member 12. The U-member 62 has aloop i8 secured at the bottomportion thereof and which loop projects rearwardly in such position asto loosely embrace the lower:end of 'an adjustment member, generallydesignated as 20. The upper end of the adjustment member 25] is pivotedto lugs 22 of U-member 12 by bolt 24, .as will best be seen'in Figs. 3and 5. The :adjustment member 20 is adapted for limited pivotal movementaround bolt'z lwithinthe confines 'of U-member i2 and loop l8.

The 'adjustm'ent member Zllis preferably square tubular stock, as willbestibe seen'in Figs. 4:and.5, and has a cap '26 to close the upper endof said member and a shoulder 28 positioned immediately below said cap,which cap and shoulder'are held in place by bolts 39. Thecap ZB andshoulder '28 confine'a boss 32 of the rodSfl so as .to permit rotarymovement of the rod 34, but said boss32 constrains the rod'34 against:longitudinal movement. The rod 34 is threadedat its lower'end andadapted 'for engagement with threaded .nut 36, which threaded nut 36isseoured to the 'upper end of a square member38 which isslidablypositionedwithin the-square tube of theadjustment member 20. Theslidable member 38 ,has a transverse hole i) therethrough to receiveaabolt 42. The bolt 42 :extends outward through slots 44 on'either sideof adjustment member 29 and passes'throughlugs of a universal pivotmember 46, as willbe more fully described hereinafter.

Thethreadedrod 34 passes throughnut 35 into an axial opening within;slidable member :38

which, upon turning of the rod 34, moves'the slidable member-38 upwardor downward to move bolt '42, carrying a universal "pivot member 46, soastoadjust a follower plow, generally :designated as 68, withrespect'to'the plow 9.

The plow 48 has a blade 49 on the lower edge thereof, which blade hassubstantially-a straight lower side and a concave forward surface so asto form a flat bottom in'the' ditch made-by the plow 9, 'ofsubstantially the width that the blade is long. The blade 39 is 'soconstructed that :it

may be:reversed'andwill-thus give double wearing qualities thereto. Theconstruction of the blade 49 isalso suchfasito cause the dirt to .rollforward and be urged vertically upward until engaged by the angularupper portion .of the pl-ow 48. When the dirt reaches a point meat 7thereon so as to give a pivotal movement of the block about thehorizontal axis thereof (Fig. 8).

:AgpiVOt bolt 58 passes through universal connection block 55 at rightangles to the trunnion pins 56 'so 'as'to give lateral swinging movementabout pivotbolt 58, which pivot bolt 58 is slightly at an angle to thevertical.

=With the universal pivot member 16 mounted on bolt 42, adjustmentthereof may be made by screw'threadedmod within the limits ofslots i lso as to raise or lower the'follower plow 48 with-respectto the plowpoint H of the plow :9. A pivotal movement between the moldboard plow 9and the follower plow '58 is accorded by the universal pivot member d6pivoting on pins '56. By having the adjustment member .29 confinedwithin loop 18, the :universal pivot member 55 Will compensate to holdthe follower plow 48 :a short distance behind the plow i9, and makesiitpossible for the mechanism 'to :make relatively short turns. Theuniversalpivot member dfi will also allowpivotal movement ofthe follower;plow 48 about the horizontal axis on the :trunnion pins "56 which willpermit raising the plow 19 -'a' substantial distance out .of the groundbefore the pair of upright armst iitightenthe looselinkage connection,shown as formed of a chain 62 and astrut ,or.rod:62a,zwhich looselinkage is. attached to the'arm 64 at the forward end of :said linkageand at the rear thereof it .israttached to 'astrut on the moldboardififiof the ditcher (see Fig. '1) This will enable the lifting ofltheroundengaging .mechanism in stages which will .make possible the liftingof zmuch larger plows with a smaller tractor than has heretofore been:possible, dueto the fact'that, inthepresent invention, the plows areliftedzin stages.

Attached to the rear portionrofithe plow '48is a lug'filiwhich lughas.out-turned. opposite ears or portions 68 which haveboltslfl'threadablyengaging therein and adapted to projecttherethrough'to form azpivot forilugs i2 mounted-on the forward ends of:moldboards I60. The lugs 12 have;recesses formed therein to receive thereduced ends of bolts 70 so'as'to permit vertical and angularadjustments of bladesifil). The forward end of each moldboard B0has'anear 14 secured thereto, as by'welding, an'dwhich ears areslottedtoreceive-a bolt I6. Positioned-along the rear upper portions ofthe moldboards 60 are ears 118 having aplurality of holes 19therethrough, to receive bolts 80. Blade posts 81 are adapted to besecured to a bar 83 and to depend downwardly therefrom, and which bladeposts are adapted to receive bolts 180 and 84 therethrough to secureblade posts and ears together. Immediately below each ear 'la'isa pairof lugs 82 through which a bolt 85 passes and which bolt also passesthrough the lower end of .post 8| to be in alignment with the bolt 10 soas to form an axial pivot along the lower portion of each moldboard 6B.When the moldboards 60 are each properly adjusted :to the :same vertical'and angulariposition, azbolt an ispassedthrough '5 the desired hole 19and through post 8|; then the bolt 16 is tightened to secure the ears 14together and thus hold the moldboards 68 in fixed adjusted positions.

A cutter blade 86 is disposed along the lower edge of moldboard 60 andis secured thereto by bolts 88. The cutter blade 86 is longitudinallyconcave and of a relatively short radius, which radius is tangentialwith the radius of the longitudinally concave moldboard 60. By havingthe moldboard constructed in this manner, the nose portion of themoldboard will follow closely the follower plow 48 and cut the edgesfrom the ditch formed by the plows 9 and 48 so as to give a ditch withdownwardly converging sides and a flat bottom.

The wheels 90 are rotatably mounted on axles disposed on semi-flexibleshanks 92, which shanks 92 are clamped to bar 83 by clamps 94. The shank92 may be adjusted vertically and clamp 94 tightened to secure the shankin binding relation with the bar 83. The wheels 90 are adjusted to as tosupport the rear portions of the moldboards iis'i while the implement isbeing transported from one place to another, and to regulate the depthof the cut of ditcher moldboards 60. The plow 48 carrying the forwardends of the moldboards 60, may be raised or lowered by adjustment screw34 so as to obtain relative adjustment between plow 9 and the moldboards60. I

Loose linkage arrangement, shown as formed of a chain 96 and a strut orrod 96a, is provided extending somewhat diagonally of the machine incrossed relation (see Fig. 1), to connect the draw bar D with transversebar 83, so that this loose linkage arrangement 9696a will sway brace theditcher and prevent side sway while the machine is being transported.

Bars 98 are attached to angles I00, which angles are positioned on theinner, lower sides of moldboards 60. The opposite ends of said bars 98are positioned in overlapping relation and each has a series of holesI92 therein, which are adapted to register with the holes of theoverlapping bar so that bolts I04 may be used to secure the'barstogether and hold the rear portions of the blades 60 at the desiredspaced distance from each other. When the blades are properly spaced toobtain the desired divergence, posts 8| are clamped to transverse bar 83by bolts I06.

In the operation of the device as described above, ditches, such asirrigation and drainage ditches, may be accurately and expeditiouslyformed, at comparatively small cost, and to con- :form to modernengineering practices. The implement with the mechanism thereof arrangedas illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, may be adjusted to constructa flat bottom ditch with sloping sides. Sides of a ditch so formed havemuch greater endurance, than if formed with straight sides, and aminimum of impedance is given any fluid that must be passedtherethrough.

To construct a ditch in this manner, the implement is connected to apower lift draw bar D, which draw bar is attached to the rear portion ofthe tractor T. The plow is lowered into the ground to the proper depth,by the manipulation of the power lift draw bar D. With the plow 9positioned to the proper depth, the threaded rod 34 is rotated until thefollower plow, generally designated as 48, is positioned to the properdepth with respect to the plow 9; then, by the proper adjustment, theditcher is lowered into position, and may be set into operation so as togive, normally, a finished irrigation ditch or drainage ditch at onepassage of the machine over the terrain. However, if it is desired, aditch may be enlarged, but with the walls maintained in substantiallythesame angular relation to the wall of the'ditch as originally formed, bypassing the machine over the same ditch a sec.- ond time.

One of the pronounced characteristics of the plow 9 is the particularmanner in which the point and moldboard are constructed. The point I Icarries a rather widely diverging obtuse angle, which angle converges atvarying degrees, from approximately 120 degrees at the place where thepoint joins to the moldboard Ill. The moldboard II! is likewisedistorted so that the angle will vary from approximately 120 degreeswhere it joins the point II to approximately 90 degrees at the uppermostpart. By this particular construction the machine is given the unusualcharacteristic of loosening the earth to the depth of the ditch, withthe point II acting as a wedge; the ground is initially broken from thebottom and sides of the ditch, due to this distorted shape of the pointand moldboard, which starts as a wide obtuse angle and is reduced toapproximately 90 degrees at the top; which causes the earth to be firstlifted directly upward by the point II, to follow the moldboardvertically upward through a spiral, to be thrown outward, which resultsin a ditch substantially the width of the plow.

This particular construction of the machine gives it the unusualcharacteristics of loosening the earth to the depth of the ditch andcausing it to boil directly upward with just sufficient angulardivergence to' throw the earth clear of the ditch. The follower plow 48may be adjusted so that the flat bottom point blade 49 will dig slightlybelow the bottom of thefurrow opened by the point I I. Since thecurvature of the plow point blade, is cylindrical and transverse withrespect to the furrow being opened, the dirt will be caused to movevertically upward along the face of the follower plow 48, which plow hasan angular divergence, to pass the dirt outward as it moves forwardalong the ditch. The wings 5| on the follower plow 48 transfer the dirtbeing moved fromthe ditch to a point ahead of the spreadermoldboards'iiil. The cutter blade 86, disposed on the lower portion ofmoldboard 60, will cut away the side of the ditch so as to' form asubstantially V-shaped ditch with a flat bottom, as the tractor pullsthe machine along.

The present ditcher, as designed, requires less horsepower for thelifting of the ditching mechanism from the ground than hasheretofore'been possible. With ditchers that have been'inuse heretofore,much power has been required to raise the plow from the ground, once ithas been put into operating position. The present machine is soconstructed and has the various connections so arranged that the plow 9is raised by the rotation of the draw bar D of the tractor T. After theplow 9 has been raised clear of the ground, or nearly so, the universalconnection between the plows 9 and 48 has not lifted the moldboards 6iappreciably. However, upon continued rotation of draw bar D to whicharms '64 are attached and rotatable therewith, the loose linkage 62, 62ais engaged so as to lift the rear portions of moldboards clear of theground. By lifting the plow 9 in one stage and the moldboards 60 inanother stage the power requirement to do this lifting in this manner isgreatly reduced, making. possible the use ofa much smaller tractor.

Itis pointed. out that. the crossedloose. linkage eta-ace are attachedto the transverse bar 8-3 and: to'draw bar I soas: tosway-bracethedevice while being: transported. It has been previously has been thrownfrom-.the ditchas it was formed by the ditcher as shown in Figs. 1 to9., inclusive,

may be returned or back filled into the ditch in ansexpeditious manner.

- With more detailed. reference to this form of the draavingsas shown inFig- 10, the clamps. 2 are moved-a spaced distance from the center ofbar CD.v The rear portion A ofv the clamps 2' are secured to beams 6 bybolts 8". The beams 6' project downward and pass through ears 7" so asto furnish' a pull connection. at the forward ends of. the moldboards 66as they are now being used. Posts 8-1 are secured to transverse bar 83'at their upper ends and are .pivotally connected to lugs 84' at theirlower ends. The vertical angular disposition of the moldboards 68" isgauged by positioning bolts 85! in the correct holes in cars 78 at therearward. ends of the: moldboards 60', as is the adjustment of the bar 98, which bar is attached to the forward end ofthe blade near theupperedge. thereof. Loose linkage arrangement 96,. 96a" projects rearward andin crossed relation and connects with transverse bar 83' so as toswaybrace. draw bar D to the transverse bar 83. The cross bar bracingprevents distortion of the frame of the implement when used as a backfiller,- or during transportation.

Linkages 62', 62a are connected to transverse bar 83 and to uprightlevers 64' so that the back filler may be raised or lowered by the powerlift draw bar D. The rear end of the implement is provided with wheels90 which are. positioned on vertical standards 92 so as to gauge thedepth of the back fill for transporting. the implement across country.

Moldboard extensions 61 are provided for moldboards 86' so. as toprovide the moldboards with the proper shape at the forward ends thereofso. as to gather the dirt without its. spilling over the forward endsof. the moldboards.

It can be readily appreciated that any angular convergence of the bladesmay be made by the proper adjustment of posts 81' and bar 98, andresetting clamps 2.

After a ditch has been made, it is frequently desirable to fill backthereinto, the earth removed therefrom. Various implements have beenprovided to perform this back-filling function,v but they have beenmachines capable of performing this one earth moving operation, andthese machines handle the dirt from one side only of a ditch and usuallyrequire two or more men to properly handle the machine, and other singleoperation machines arerequired to perform other earth moving operations.With the present implement, the same mechanism, from. which a .78ditGhSIiSi formed. as hasbeen described. above, may be rearranged and;converted. and with few, if any. additional parts. a. back. fillingimplement can be readily constructed.v

With. the. implement arranged as shown in Fig. Lil,v and with themoldboards-v 60' converging so asterdirect the: dirt from each side ofthe back thereinto; the implement attached toa tractor power liftdra-wbar D,. so when thetractor straddles the ditch and moves therealong, theearth. at-either side: of. the ditch is moved angelarly inward to bereturned into the ditch The degree of. .angulamity of the: moldboards:at the forward endsthereof may be accomplished by the adjustment of bar.98" tothe proper length and the adjustment of the posts 8| in theproper spaced relation'on the bar 83.. The wheels 90' may be usedlas.gauge wheels to space the. blades 86' the desired. distance above thesurfaceof the ground.

The implementas: shown in Fig. 10* and described for' use inback-filling may also be used to form levees such-as. are used to retainwater in rice fields. By the use of the implement as shown Fig. 10',levees may be formed expeditiously and-- atvery little cost, ascomparedto other methods now in use.v With the use oi the presentmachine, one man can construct levees approximately twice as fastas thesame work can hedone with. some. types of machines now in general use,and which require the work of two men for the operationthereof.Therefore the userof the present invention results: inapproximatelysavings inlabor.

In the farming of rice, it is desirable to drill the seed rather deeplyin a well leveled. seed bed before the seed has sprouted, and to termcross levees from a shallow draft 0t soil taken. from above the seedbed-.. In this manner only the seed that is actually under the leveeformed is disturbed or buried, and as a result the rice. grows closetothe levee and thus permits the use at the maximum: amount of land.In-order to take a cut from above the seed bed, theblades of. the

. machine are adjustedto an angle of approximately 3e degrees to theline of travel, and. to converge-rearward-ly so themoldboard blades willscrape the soilfrom both sides, in a shallow draft, to form an eventopped levee. This leveebuilder, thusnformed' willpullrevenly withoutdeveloping azside draft, as would be the case if the implement used onlyone blade; These blades may be angularly disposed with respect to theground to causethef ront end portion to dig indeep so as to throw up ahighlevee such as used for borders, when: desired.

The implement as a grader or terracer A grader: or terracer may be.constructed from the parts-oi the ditcher, as is illustrated in Fig.1-1, and like parts. of the drawing are indicated by the same numbers asin Figs. I to 9, but as double prime t") except as. indicated.

The power lift draw bar D" 'is shown in dotdash. outline, and to this.beams 6 are attached in spaced relation. The bar 83" is attached to oneof the beams 5" by a bolt Ea; A post .8 1 projects: downwardly from bar83-" so as to connect with mold-board 59! ina manner similar to. thatshown in Fig... '7. The lower end of the other beam 6-" is connected toalug- 'i' in a man;- ner similar to that shown in Fig. 10. The forwardendv of the. moldboard 6 8 connects with a beam. 6" insuchmanneras togive the moldboarcl thecorrect. angular divergence with respect to theline of travel. A heel b is provided for engaging a strap 60 so as toengage the beam on the upward movement so as to lift the bar 83" whichextends rearwardly of the beam '6" and in longitudinal alignmenttherewith. The beams 8" are spaced apart to give the proper angularmovement of the dirt when the blade is engaging in the surface of theearth.

It is necessary to use only a single moldboard 50" to accomplish agrading operation or for building certain forms of terraces or levees.While it is preferable to have a weight element W attached to themoldboard 89", for the best operation thereof, it is not entirelyessential. Furthermore, it is desirable to have an additional wing 60aattached to the rear portion of the moldboard 89 so as to carry the dirta greater distance, but the use of such a wing is elective.

To operate the grader as shown in Fig. 11, and described above, thebeams G" are attached to power lift draw bar D" so that the blade andthe moldboard 69" will be disposed at an acute angle of approximately 34degrees to the line of travel of the implement. The beams 6 are soconnected to the draw bar of the tractor that they may be lowered sothat the blade 83" will come into proper contact relation with the earthand will be maintained at the proper depth by the lift on the draw baror by the weights in weight box W. As the tractor moves along, the blade80 and moldboard 80" will move the earth therealong, level the groundthereunder, and discharge any excess soil at the rear thereof.

The proper connection of the moldboard when used as a terracer may bedetermined by shifting beams along draw bar D to a position so as tocounteract the side draft created by a single moldboard. It will beappreciated readily that various adjustments of the vertical pitch ofthe moldboard may be made by manipulation of the moldboard with respectto post 8! and to hold the blade in adjusted position by the arrangementsimilar to that shown in Fig. 7, for the adjustment of the moldboard 80with respect to the post 8 i.

It is to be appreciated that the versatility of this machine to performthe various earth handling operations, by the convertibility mechanism,is a great saver in time, labor and investment in machinery, and thatthe transition from one type of machine is quickly and easilyaccomplished, and requires no special skill or equipment.

Having thus described the invention; what is claimed is:

1. In a ditcher for forming ditches in the earth, a traction element forpulling said ditcher, a moldboard plow connected to said tractionelement for initially opening a ditch in said earth, a follower plowdisposed rearward of said moldboard plow and connected thereto toperform an additional ditch opening operation in said earth, meansconnected with said plows for adjusting said follower plow with respectto said moldboard plow, a pair of outwardly diverging moldboard bladesdisposed rearwardly of said follower plow and connected therewithadapted to remove dirt from the edge of said ditch opening in saidearth, means connected with the moldboard blades for varying the angulardisposition of said moldboard blades with respect to the vertical so asto form a ditch with downwardly converging sides, said follower plowhaving a rearwardly extending lug near the bottom thereof, said lughaving outturned ears on the rear portion thereof, each of said earshaving a threaded bolt therethrough, said bolts projecting forwardly ofsaid ears, and a lug positioned on and secured to the inner and lowerside of each of said moldboard blades and having a recess thereinengaged by the bolt, so as to permit adjustment of said moldboard bladeswith respect to said follower plow.

2. A ditching machine for forming ditches adapted to be adjustablyconnected to a traction element, comprising a draw bar, a moldboard plowfor initially opening a ditch and adjustably connected to said draw bar,a follower plow for forming a flat bottom to said ditch disposedrearwardly of said moldboard plow and adjustably connected thereto, apair of moldboard blades disposed rearwardly of the follower plow andconnected therewith, the moldboard blades being angularly divergent toeach other, means connected with the moldboard blades for varying thedegree of divergence of said moldboard blades, and a loose linkagehaving an arm connected therewith and with the moldboard plow andconnecting the moldboard plow with the moldboard blades, adapted toraise said follower plow and said moldboard blades after said moldboardplow has been raised a predetermined distance.

3. In a machine for forming ditches in the earth, a moldboard plow, afollower plow disposed rearward of said moldboard plow and connectedthereto to perform an additional ditch opening operation in said earth,a pair of outwardly diverging moldboard blades disposed rearwarclly ofsaid follower plow and connected therewith adapted to remove dirt fromthe edge of said ditch opening in said earth, said follower plow havinga re'arwardly extending lug near the bottom thereof, said lug havingoutturned ears on the rear portion thereof, each of said ears having athreaded bolt therethrough, said bolts projecting forwardly of saidears, and a lug positioned on and secured to the inner and lower side ofeach of said moldboard blades and having a recess therein engaged by thebolt, so as to permit adjustment of said moldboard blades with respectto said follower plow.

CHARLES H. BROWN.

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